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Pro soccer returning to St. Louis

(KSDK Sports) -- Is Saint Louis about to get professional outdoor soccer? We're a city that loves the game--but haven't had a team to call our own. A news conference is taking place at 11:30 at the Soccer

ST. LOUIS - Is Saint Louis about to get professional outdoor soccer? We're a city that loves the game, but haven't had a team to call our own.

There's already a website up that has a press release that says St. Louis Scott Gallagher has acquired a men's team that will start playing next year at the 5,000 seat Soccer Park in Fenton. A news conference is expected to take place at 11:30 at the Soccer Park.

In the release, SLSG President Jim Kavanaugh said,"Our organization is constantly searching for ways to further our mission: To build the best club in the country – a club that positively impacts the development of our players on and off the field and positively impacts our community. We view the return of professional outdoor soccer through USL PRO as a meaningful way to aid the development of area youth soccer players and positively impact our community. We believe the time is right for St. Louis to re-take its place on the national soccer landscape."

USL PRO features 14 teams in 2014, including expansion teams in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Sacramento. Teams have already been announced for 2015 in Colorado Springs and Tulsa.

​"We are thrilled to welcome St. Louis into USL PRO starting with the 2015 season," USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. "St. Louis, more than any other U.S. city, has significantly contributed to the development and growth of American soccer on all levels – youth, collegiate and professional. Through the years, St. Louis players, coaches and soccer executives have greatly impacted not only the game of soccer, but the history of American soccer itself.

More information on the St. Louis franchise will become available this summer.

The SLSG owned and operated team has already begun development on a team name, logo, colors, and uniforms which will be announced in the coming months.